This document is intended to help new and existing Authorised Examiners, Testers and other interested parties comply with the requirements for authorisation by the Secretary of State to conduct statutory tests on certain motor vehicles. The statutory requirements are contained in the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 as amended. The Guide does not cover the requirements for annual testing of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) or Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). Neither does the Guide cover the requirements for Type Approval nor Individual Vehicle Approval of certain vehicles before they are first registered in Great Britain.

This guide should be used in conjunction with;

the relevant MOT Inspection Manuals which are a detailed guide to the inspection for statutory MOT testing;

Special Notices (SNs), these are issued periodically by DVSA to inform those involved with MOT testing about changes and to highlight areas of concern;